Day 81: Imposter Syndrome and the Reality of IT

I watched this hilarious video on imposter syndrome recently, and it had me really thinking — what are people actually comparing themselves to? Are they comparing themselves to their own imagination, or maybe the success they see others achieving? The guy in the video made a great point: in IT, you’re constantly learning because the industry never stops changing. The things we master today might be irrelevant tomorrow. That’s just the reality of this field.

The thing about imposter syndrome is that it tends to hit hardest when you’re seeing finished work — not the messy process behind it. It’s easy to assume that others know something you don’t, when in reality, they probably struggled just as much (or more) to get to that outcome. It’s like looking at a completed puzzle and forgetting the hours spent sorting through the pieces. The fact that IT is always evolving means everyone is constantly learning — even the experts. That’s why researching and looking for better solutions isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s part of the job.

On another note, it’s wild how scams are still working in 2025. You’d think people would be better at spotting them by now, but attackers keep evolving their methods. Whether it’s through social media, text, or email, there’s always some new trick being played. It’s satisfying when these bad actors get caught — poetic justice at its finest. 😎


🔍 What Stood Out Today:

💻 Security Scheme Could Protect Sensitive Data During Cloud Computation
A new security scheme aims to protect sensitive data during cloud computation, even if the system is compromised. This could be a game-changer for organizations handling sensitive information in cloud-based environments.
👉 https://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com/dr20250322-security-scheme-could-protect-sensitive-data-during-cloud-computation

📱 Arrests in Tap-to-Pay Scheme Powered by Phishing
Authorities have arrested individuals behind a sophisticated tap-to-pay scam that exploited stolen payment details. They were using phishing techniques to gather sensitive financial information and automate fraudulent transactions.
👉 https://krebsonsecurity.com/2025/03/arrests-in-tap-to-pay-scheme-powered-by-phishing/

🌐 VMware Vulnerabilities Exploited by Ransomware
Threat actors have been actively exploiting vulnerabilities in VMware to deploy ransomware. The attackers are using misconfigurations and unpatched systems to execute lateral movement and encryption attacks.
👉 https://cybersecuritynews.com/vmware-vulnerabilities-exploited-ransomware/

🦠 API Security: Protecting the Backbone of Modern Web Apps
A great article on how API security remains one of the most overlooked but critical aspects of modern infrastructure. API vulnerabilities have been at the core of many high-profile breaches.
👉 https://dev.to/mukhilpadmanabhan/api-security-protecting-the-backbone-of-modern-web-apps-3igg

🔒 Cybersecurity Report: The Week That Was
An overview of key security events from the past week, including new ransomware campaigns and phishing attacks targeting major platforms.
👉 https://thecyberwire.com/newsletters/week-that-was/9/12


💡 Key Takeaways:

  1. Imposter Syndrome Isn’t a Sign of Incompetence — Everyone struggles. The key difference is whether you keep pushing through it or let it hold you back.
  2. Constant Learning Is the Norm in Cyber — The pace of change in IT means you’ll always feel like you’re catching up. That’s normal.
  3. API Security Needs More Attention — With the rise of interconnected services, API vulnerabilities remain a huge target for threat actors.
  4. Cloud Security is Still Evolving — Protecting sensitive data during cloud computation is becoming a high priority for both private and government sectors.

🚀 Final Thought:

Imposter syndrome seems to hit hardest when you feel like you “should” know more. But if you’re researching, adapting, and learning — that’s exactly what the job demands. The fact that you even care about improving shows that you’re already ahead of the curve. The only way to beat imposter syndrome is to stay curious and keep learning. 👊